Dragoncrest Cliffs Romance never goes unpunished

The howl touches her ears as her head is dipped for a drink, cupping forward as she listens. At first, she does not respond, thinking nothing of it. She goes about her business, lapping at the water until her thirst is quenched and she licks her lips. Droplets fall from her muzzle when she picks her head up and looks in the direction the sound came. Slowly, she thinks of her missing son and realizes the connection has been there this whole time. She blinks yellow gaze several times, shakes her head, and when it finally settles in, she moves quickly to the borders.
 
Lava had left Drageda without a word, uncertain where he’d been all this time, and she’d made some effort to search for him but she does not know this land well and he’d hardly been part of the pack to build anything for himself. Even as she became leader, she could not spend much effort on him as she would have liked and to know that he’s returned (whether or not he’s allowed to stay), relief fills her system and crests when she lays eyes on her younger child.
 
Slowly, she comes to a stop and looks upon him curiously, restraining herself from closing the distance to welcome him home. She scents the air for blood or infection but steadies a hardened gaze upon his for explanation.